Looking for a smaller fertiliser spreader? Amazone’s new ZA-V is designed as a baby to the existing TS range, says UK brand manager Simon Brown.

“Even at the wider working widths farmers are requesting, it is possible to achieve stable, triangular flat spread patterns,” explains Mr Brown.

“This is largely due to the company’s on-site dedicated spreader test hall, one of the largest in Europe, engineers are able to run hundreds of tests each day, making the development process quicker.”

See also: Amazone ZA-TS fertiliser spreader improves accuracy

The ZA-V has a newly developed spreading unit with large metering aperture, capable of delivering up to 6.4kg/sec.

This means fertiliser flows directly from the hopper and there is limited residue, but more importantly spread pattern at varying spreading rates remains the same and there is no need to adjust spreader vanes when changing forward speed.

The hopper itself is pressed from one piece of sheet steel, resulting not only in better overall flow, but also reduced residue and longevity.

There are three individual spreading discs, resulting in three working width ranges. V-Set 1 spans from 10-21m, V-Set 2 from 21-28m and V-Set 3 from 27-36m and adjustment is via Amazone’s tool-less QuickSet system.

ZA-V Tronic spreaders with Isobus communication are equipped with eight-fold section control, which can be also be GPS controlled.

Feed-on points are altered automatically to enable the working width to remain the same regardless of rate, and it’s possible to spread up to 36m.

Up to 700kg/ha can be spread at 27m at speeds of 12km/hr, resulting in an output of 6.4kg/second, adds Mr Brown.

There are two weigh-cell frames available, the Super Profis with a maximum payload of 3,200kg and the Ultra Profis with a payload up to 4,000kg, while filling widths of 2.22m and 2.71m are also offered. These offer hopper sizes of between 1,700 litres and 4,200 litres.

Border spreading has also got simpler, with the addition of the Limiter V+, an electric remote-controlled system that can be variably matched to the border on the move without changing the spreading disc speed.

This can be preset in the terminal for side, border and watercourse spreading, and can even be set to reduce rate.